Card selecting device



Feb. 7, 1939. A; GARD|N ET AL 2,146,063

f GARD SELEGTING DEVICE I Filed Oct. 30, 1954 lO vSheets-Sweet l nge LL Fgy Iman/roles l @arda C) 1? 'Za/au- Feb. 7, 1939. A. GARDIN ET AL.

CARD SELECTlNG DEVICE Filed OCJC. 30,

19.34 lO Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig FigAo 10 Sheets-Sheet 3 A. GARDlN ET AL CARD SELECTING- DEVICE Feb. .7, 1939.

7/// lm #L Feb. 7, 1939. A. GARDIN ET A1. 2,146,063

CARD SELECTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 50, 1934 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Fi I3 Feb. 7, 1939. A. GARDIN ET AL 2,146,063

CARD SELECTING DEVICE Filed oct. 50, 1934 1o sheets-sheet e Feb. 7, 1939. A. GARDIN ET Al. 2,146,063

CARD SELECTING DEVICE Filed Oct. 30, 1934 l0 Sheets-Sheet '7 .5` f A /////aH/n/WMM1W r.. w. n n o 1 um 7 l l ..MO "MQW, YPMQ. m 1 ,n m u f m TNW w m v s 8 gr Feb. 7, 1939. A. GARDIN ET Al.

CARD SELECTING DEVICE Filed oct. 5o, 1934 1o sheets-sheet a IN1/Alfons H Gazdn/ j? fiala a ai'.

HMS-

y Fig yFeb. 7, 1939. A. GARDIN ET Ax. 2,146,053

CARD SELECTING DEVICE Filed oct. so, 1954 1o sheets-sheet 9 1o ,sheets-sheet 1o A. GARDIN Efr Al.

Filed Oct. y30,

Feb. 7, 193,9).-

y'Iheyl-are characterized finfthe formsfof con 1 fj struction illustrated land: chosen: only vby vway o! f L examp1e,ilby new combinations ofthe fundamental system in which the cardsare urged to'mo've by ll la pressure means and held `in placeor not by a a retaining means: These combinations areeifectf *u Y' ,rlaterally.

according e' 4551,;- Fis. v1G shows' U mechanism, allowing tok eifecta double operationl documents diierentiating' from eachother ,-byone f f I or :more characteristic' features.

`slips-,by increasing the capacity ot'fthe apparatus and by increasing ythelpossibilities'of selections.

ed yin such a manner that yfwhenthe; apparatus is r,manipulatedr for obtainingathe selection yof one or more cardsgithe suitable .retaining blades are .-20 causedtobe retracted, `this r allowing the cards providedfwithf the corresponding teeth tomove l under the action oitheloperating nfieans,l either r obliquely, .orverticallgor,byrotation. tothe combination contemplated.

' -26 The `'invention moreover; relates, to improve-- ments in the construction" of their cards for assist ing in obtaining thepbove mentioned advantages.

'Inthe`accerinpanrins;dwellings:

Fig. 1'is 'a front' vie'wotithecardllaldhon two 3Q supports.

. modications in themanufacture; o! the cards.

served for each classand for each divisiony of one .andthe same class. a. *l

. 1 *Figs. 46 andf'lillustrate,onkanenlarged scale@ i# Fis. 8. illustrat sga set ofkcysfand reference d stable-ff, :f e ,1 Fig, .9 isagdiagramrnatic Viewi, a.mech.!1i$m ,allowing toerrecta'iuble oberatnbdptessins af'single key. i y thel application o! an electric f by -depressing ai single key;

i f Fig-11 is affront scticnalf/iw ofthe apparatus." j lwitirasectiony made according'to line 'VIIIL-VIII 50ct-Fis. '12

Fig. -13 and-"1 4 are a side anda plan View;v ,rrespectlvely. `showing the pressure plates and the comb mechanism.

' j paratusrforV selecting liridexf-sllpsforf'any individual 'gboard.V f a gure 18-is aV detail plan view of the structure Shown in Fisure 1'1 FleQ-23 is e front view ef a. card provided with removable teeth. l

, y l, v -verme.zc. Fig. 2 is a crosslsectionfniadeaccordlng to line y ofFig..32.

Figs.31, 32,r 34 and r35 are sections of four difi'erent drawers, respectively showing' theI operaz,146,vo63

i 'sous '1'5 is enenierged detail elevation er the -structure shown lin Figure 14 and showing the relative thicknesses ot Vthe pressure plates.

, 4Fig-..16 is an arrangement allowing the substitution-ot the pressure plates by an electromagnet. 5 `Figure 17 is a ,det ail. sectionalview on the line taching the mechanism of the retalningwblades on thelink-,workcontrolled bythe keys of the key- Fig. 19y illustrates an electric signalling system.

Fig. 20 is a Irontview of afpocket card capable -ot containing afremovableindexLslip. l5

Fig.v 21 is a cross section madeaccording to line III-mot Fig. 20, the removable index-slip being removed.` v ,Fig..2,2 is a. front view of the removable lndeX- Fig. 24 is a side view ofiig. 23,Av the tooth elementsbelng removed.

Fig. 25 is a, cross section made according to line 25 -IV ci Fig. 23, the tooth elements beiner removed.y @Fig. 26 is a frontview of a tooth element.

Fig. 27 is a cross section made according to line 30 `Fig.`28\shows `tl'ie double Autilization of a tooth i j welementy Figs. 3 land. 4 varecross sectionsl'showing some v Figs. v29-and 30 are a side sectional view and a transverse sectionalview, respectively, showing Fig. 5 shows on a carcith'e` respective places rey the operation of the retaining blades. 35 Fig. 33 is a plan view of a portion of the comb tion of `the; 2n i, 3rd, 4th and 5th combinations. 40

Fig. 36 is a modification of Fig. 30. Fig.-37 showsan exampleof application of the Anotched cards.

' Fig, as yniiistif-ate's en yarrangement in which the pressure blades act bythrust, and also shows a "device for replacing the `cards in position.

Fig.' 39 is a'comprehensive view, partly broken away, and showing ya perspective of the entire device.

Such as illustrated in Figs. k1 and2. the card l0 50 is composed of two sheets a and b made of a material on which it is possible to write (paper,

;cardboard, etc.) glued or secured onva strip c ymade of metalor oi heavy material, as shown in FII. 2.

l the arrangement adoptedprocures the following advantages 1. The card always tendsto return toits vertier than the portionf'fhfi, the periphery of the cardy l `remains visible both at the top and on nearly the totality of its sides, this ensuring a better-visibility and allowing fa very extensive use of sig-A nalling clips.

However, the constructionof this card-,can be-1 o y o f o i 1 Anfaiphabetical' class of'n letters comprises n divisions. A division comprises Vtwenty-seven i possiblejelenrents,v one of which is a dummy element, said elements being represented on rthe diierent from that above described. Y Thus:

v1. A sheet d can be inserted in a U-shaped h armature e, the U beingV at` will nattenedilifigili) or not at its lower part as indicatedk'tig.'4)'.V

v can be composed of` a U shaped element BB made teeth representingall th'eelements of one class. 70

' 'fat rial n which it is' ssiblefto write"` of a m e o p0 "alone maintainedforforminga distinctionin the (paper, cardboard`,-etc.) Vglued orlsecre'd on a strip `69 made yof, ylnetalor' of heavy material,v as shown in Fig.`21. The interior ofthe U is'r adapted to receivearernovable indexslip ill (Figs. 2 0 and 22). This index-slip-cawalso berinserted `within the card, provided with' removable teeth.'

shown' in Figs.`23, 24 and 25.A lv This latter card is composedv of a U-'shaped' element liprnade offa' material on which it is possible to writeffpapen' cardboard, etc.), g`lued or secured on "a'strip 1.2, 1

made of metal or of a heavy material. Thisstrip is provided with vnotches 12' in each of which i enters a toothelem'ent 13.

l This tooth element,- 'as 'i11ustraterfmrigs- 2s 'n and 27,- is constructedl in such amanner vthat its branches 13 and 13 resiliently distort vfor allowing them to enter and come out of thenotches 12', the nicks T2" and 12' of whichthold said` tooth element in place. In this position, it is laterally heidfb'y two strips 14 and*r 15, vmade of metal or of heavy material, gluedor secured on' the' strip 12., A A card forms a part of omeclass `or of several classes. `These classes can be designatedby any expressions, 'for vinstance,` numerical fcla'ss, alphabeticalclass, region clasa/V date class, profession class, etc.`, o. l ,y Each class is divided into divisions., Thus, if the` numerical class comprises three digits, it will be divided into three divisions: hundreds, ltens and units. Each' division has one element; each element is physically represented o n the card by A teeth and characterized bythe arrangement of 1 thelatter.A The classes and-,divisionshave, on the card, a place reserved for the teethrepresenting their elements. Referring again to the preceding' example, the place pq (Fig. 5) is reserved for the teeth representing the` hundreds element, thej place qr is reserved for the teeth representing the tens element, and lthe place 'rs is( reserved for" the teeth of the units element."A 1 u y Each element being characterized by the arrangement of the teeth which physically repre-,-

sent it, the card is thus diilerentiated by all the A numerical class of n digits comprisesn di-v visions. 1A division comprises ten .possible ele# g 2,146,068 The card being placed on two supports f and g,

e Each card ;is-.toothed as ifl each class kployedfaloneg yj. L f The classes haveon thecard-,1a place reserved "detect lthose' which are tojbe v visions.

kments for the-frepresentationlof which'` the blank l Tiie'lst' and the 3 d vThe? 2nd and the Thev 2ndy and .the

ments which arev represented on the; blankscard by ten teeth.l For differentiating a card in a class,v

the teeth corresponding to all the necessaryelements are alone maintained for forming Aa distinction in the class. Example: By counting the teeth from left to right (Fig. 6), the card correspending to a number such as 35 will keep only,

inal numerical class of three digits and ,there` fore oithree divisionstherst toothrepresenting the element-il of'5thejhundreds(reserved piaceV pq), 'the' fourthr tooth representing the element 3 in the division of the tens (reserved place qr) and the sixth tooth representing the element v5 v`yin the division of the units (reserved place rs).

Caseof analphabetical class:

blank card by twenty-seven keys.

" For differentiating a card in a class, the teeth corresponding'to al1-the necessary lelements are Exampi ny ,contng th .teeth .from lfieft to right (ligs."5` andll) .the card corresponding to thetlettersssuch ias zy will thereforekeep only,ln

'-an alphabetical r,class of- .three letters `and ltherefore ofthreek divisions. the twenty-sixth tooth resenting the elementy- -in the elementV` inrthe third alphabet Case of multiple :classes:v

for'the teeth vrepresenting their elements. Thus,

the piace-kif (Figs) 1s Areserved forthe teeth rep fresenting' the.'elements'ofA lafnumrical class, the n place lm isv'reservedv furthe teeth representing Athe `elements*ofv any'class, and the' placemn is reserved 'rdf fthe-'teeth rp'resentingtne Lelennents `of 'anV alphabetical crass.; v l 'I'he "remoyalj'oialcardwill 'be .possible only 'after retractingt'h'e retainingblades corresponding to thei'teethVA di1Ieren tiatingyv the card in the class employed.y

Were eml .f

-, Eachl retaining blade isoontrolled by au'link'- indication marked Aon each` 'key' work at the end of which a keyis arranged. The

allows to rapidly operated.r f

Case of a numerical classz.

A-fnumerical class'ofndigitscomprisesn di- A division .comprises-tenpossibie elecardcarries /five teeth utilizable in pairsEa'chv oase of an aipnabeticn class: An alphabetical class' of v n letters comprises n r tooth r1. The 1st and the-4th The 1st and the e The 2nd and the The 3rd and the The' 3rd and the 5th combination of twoteeth representing an ele- 'ment,'it'is" possible to Amaintain,among: others:

division comprises twenty-seven u possible elementsitwenty-six effective elements )ammettere wand the and land and and fnd Aand and and` yand land' and land and l andA and 1 .,and, auth ,and andl and the 8th-y :irdrtooth for representing' element B tllel 5th I tooth for representing; elenlent D they ithtooth for` representing element E 'the y37th tooth Afor `the y8th' tooth.forrepresenting `element-G the 3rd tooth} forjrepresentng element 4,H the-4th tooth"ton-representixlg element `I tooth the 7th forrepresenting 'element K tooth .for

tooth ytooth foi representing element y tooth,y for.; representing element `P f tooth`V for representing element tooth for tooth ,-for toothfo'r toothfor representingv element V and Hand

d the "Ithftooth forg representing elementy Z f the 7 thtoothjf for representing 'element X nach' retaining ymerle le controlled f byja Generallyfspeakin n teeth vare ntilizable for'l representing:allgthefpossible, elements @of a. di-y ai single divislo (unitsithe'blank card carries :seven teeth, the'lglatter-caniy be 'used in the Ltel- I Alowing" "manner I for? che.racterizitg' eachof the T l'lsl lother arrangement I of of teeth comk m. iisallyilliisirstes 1iw this mechanismen' be. ',Censtructedr f witha et, off teeth' of any ,tyretcniprlslg n aisinglevtoothg two teeth,*forjun teeth),.the same result can be yobtained ,by 'means of anelectric ,combination of two teeth representing an ele- -ment,`wehave maintainedz: f. 1

f Th firstandtlle second toothjtor:representing element .f

thefithtooth"forfrepsesenting element C,

representing element E:

the Sthtootlrfor representingv element .T

lrepresenting element'flll` they Sth'ltoothffor representing element M -v foru representing element N representing eler'nentlly representing-,element S representing element' T tooth fior representing element U l and' the 6th tooth forjrepresenting element W the 8thg tooth-tor` representing element,Ya`

Tile 6th 'an T lleth and the 8th'toothforrepresentlng elementVv dummy yEach cardis toothedfas 'if each'class were" employed alone'. The removal" ofjlalfcardlV will be, possibley only. after retreating theev retaining@ `,blades correspondingto -the teeth Whichjdlfferobiiqueiy, as shown jinFig. ',8..1,A reference table nvlslon:VM nachfelement .can be represented-by the;

i-elemente one' teeth' leine countedfr'omleft tof? 'coco-fumatore# prising tlyo'f'teeth isj'indicated herein, because it i' allows'. by means oiv a simple l mechz'tnismjto oli-1'"v tain` `tl'l`e retraction gt .two retaining blades by .theA depression 91, sj'insiezky-T Tfifr- 9' diaarammechanism. F.Fig.' 10g illustratesvv any application 1 of thei-latter inf'the;case' cfa-numerical' classihaving#- aIsingIe f division,"v fthe u,possible elements of which, teninnumber;arefrepesentedon the v The first and the second 4tooth for representing element 0 `The lstandr the 3rd tooth'for representing element 1st and the 4th tooth for representing element '1st and ythe 5th tooth for. representing element and the 3rd tooth for representing element and the. 4th tooth for representing and the thy tootirfor representing and the" 4th 'tooth for representing and the th'tooth for representing element and' the 5th tooth for representing element v As i1lustrated,feach retaining blade is actuated by an electromagnet which operates when a key closes its circuit.` If the cards bearing the digit Tare desired, the ylreybearing thisl digit (key I8,."Fig. yis depressed; fthe* retaining blades 23 `and 24,y which correspond to the third and element element element rto the fourth tooth, move away for allowing the desired cards to slip out.

" "Remark' 1.-1`-As each tooth element has teeth the' position of which characterizes .the division gether`.= Onfeach ytooth element, the position of @the 'teethcorresponds to the toothsystem employed. Thus, in the case of a set of teeth having two teeth-'for afnum'erical class, the element corresponding to ainumber such as Skeeps only the 2nd'and theth teeth l(Fis. 26)

f RemarkfZs-'I'he sametooth element can serve for representing two 'different division elements, according yto the direction in which it is placed vrin the card. Belngplaced as indicated in Fig. 28, "it represents the element corresponding, to a numl' bersuch as 2 '(the 1st and 4th teeth being mainv`tained) f @Remark 3;-By their very construction, the ycards have ltheir' teeth offset relatively to their faces, as shownin Figs. 2, v3, 21'and 23. It is thus ypossible tovprevent a' card, when being removed, {from-engaging with the adjacent stationary cards,

"as the teeth'may be distorted byuse.

=In themechanism of -thelst combination illusl i 1 tratedL-(fFigs. 1'1, 12, 13 yand .14)1'Whch serves to .fil jExample: `Ifjinflalnumerical classgcomprising f eilectlthe selecting operations', there are as many drawers as there are teeth on a .blank card. The

- whole of theseblades forms a kind ofv grid inthe grooves of which t the teeth of the cards.` Owing to their assemblage in thelforrn' ofk a parallelogram, the retaining blades canberetracted for allowing'the passage ofy the teethiniront of which f theop'eration of a linkworkcontrolled by keys 0 to-9 (Fig.l12). cards'isobtained by means of pressure plates 36 k(Figs. 1l, 13, .14 and `15) which act by gravity.

The lateral displacement/of the 1 TheV latter are arranged in such a manner that they bear, when'this is necessary, simultaneously on al1 the cards at the same time and.y on each of f them separately.k 4By' this arrangement the cards, the teethof which are no longer stopped byV the retaining blades, can laterallyslide to the exclufsionv of theothers. l The pressure plates are guided f "in'parallel andz axially displaced combs 31 to 40 ",(Flgs. 1l, v13', 1 4 arld 1 5), Which'llold them at a. suitable dlstanceapart so that there is at least al- Ways one pressure` plate opposite each card, should beunderstood that the combs engage the `press` u'r`eplatesly irictically sc'asl to permit shiftingof s'aidplates. l

r`The pressure plates,driven'byfriction'and by their Weight, r follow their abutment (comb) 'in itsdisplacement andcome in co r'lta'ci ;^-with the 4viewin' Figs. 17iandv18-,respectively,. A, I

, For preventing-:faulty operations; aA safety device prevents, .on the onehand, the opening ofj'ajv drawer when. the `pressure plates entertin action and, .on the other hand, thisdeviceprevents the same v:pressure plates from enterinzfln action projection c" (Figs. 1.5and511) voi' thecard's.` The taining blades.

latter are then urged .to move laterally.'` but only .cards'reacn .designated by animi: imm o to `9k (this Remark-TheA action of'the'pressure] be replaced by the pull exerted byhan .electro-A magneten the metal part of the Fig. 1,6` shows a means` allowing toeilect this 'mode otz,

operation.

n -When the. largepedal 4l lis depressed; vthev latter.

position. It is thus possible tofeffect anew selection. Fori-rendering the .drawers "and Vretaining I bladesindeperident of the cabinet ,or piece of ,fur-f 'j -niturecontaining them, asystem forgattachlng the mechanism of theretaining blades on .the

V`linirwork controlled by .the keys, of thekeyboard" is provided. .Thisattaching systemfis illustrated` in elevation (section X.X; Fig. v17) e and :in pian f whena drawer isopened.y .This-result is obtainedh by securing .n..safetymember-M (Figs. l1, 13 and The removal of one or more cards pear. on-the' edgej 'of the other ycards which .have

is're'vealed ,e in a. drawer bythe lateral displacementof the* selected card. or cards, the marginsV of `which apf remained'in position. If. the apparatusacorn-z prises a 'plurality .of drawers, thosecontaining vthe selected cards are indicated` by .iihflhlihtin` ofh the lampf63 correspondingto cachot them.

goesfrom the insulated bar 6| throughA theslngle wire: to the, battery andthence 'to the central f the bar 6| vand closes'the circuitsothat theiamp 5 .ss is lighted. f e uoY When it is desired to tion vofthe suitabie'retaining blades. -Y' I 'hen, by

l contactof the-lamp 6 3. Froml the other. ,contacty 'j of ythe laniputhe: circuit is. continued theg .f body ofy 'the apparatus *toV the metallic :ends .e".., :#of thec'ards. `As' soonA as oneof the cardsis'v 1 shifted kto the right; .itsmetallic end (yf-.touches and causes the lamp designating thedrawer in have'. remained in position.v

. whicnlthe card is located, to pe lighted.,...whenv e the large pedal 43 has been depressed'forreleasl Y lingethedrawer` and whenthe lattervis opened, they selected card willbe seen bythe feet, thatfit lat-f., erally "extends beyondy all -the other l:a.r dsjvirl'iiel-i;v

'sinonimi1r.13,a.nd14i.f J e,

'mesjebsr; mauri; smut. med shafts, sa and "emmer-sesametwo'. drawers.

4 ,physically represented by simple; teem or instance. bearing. No. 54 is de#I Shediths key l (Flai 12)'V is. depressed. i

"wntmDU .1i- IOds 12) .which engages with hteeneled member "iria-12) .rotating about .messbar-mln (rigs. irandzgizi: red-...member .murine 'y vertical link j sil (Fig. l112),'v .and-the latte'rfactuatesand causes retraction ofy 1the..` retaining' .blades ill Figa .11' f; f and '142), .an element 'of .a parallelogram eemdieeeeqizi; rnemheamen veeel. 1 Lisdepressed-and'the; veril (Figs. 11,".12 .and l13) fis] levert! always urged by engages, its `forked `end i2 'j 'tedsystem constituted by bars s springs: (Figi have; heretofore .deseribedfchje'# whichtsupport the "pressure plates. Thelatter.,

l,drive both` friction of fthefcjorn'bs.'y`

. eirownzw'eight lower lbyfjrotatingabout 'mensenmassa remember epee ftothelrlpressnre; wire-connections between l "tallicendse'fot gth'e cardsg'tlie-battery and f I A 'fore'.,l he card No. f5; yfor example, whichI .j

is no buttingfagainst .a blade is later-f ing situar Si' insulatedfromnthe y.drawer by an in"-y iThiscontact, by-@closing jthewcircuit lof .a source -whichgjcorresponds l tozther drawer. 45 1in; which the card*bearing` No. :521s placed. '-But-ftbis-drawer" y This lamp 1vlights. when a card, Vthrougl'l itsk me f locked aon itsslidell by the 'safety memtallic end c." -.(}igs.v 11 and.19)closesthefcircult'g Abeenjraised by the-Jever 52, uponthe movement and Flirts the; retaining. blade s i; fon the,` other :'hana.' 1t bushes me levier nwhicn' causes, throughl f the medium ofthe' bars lil land 64, the combs 31` f iaLxidQLto,return.totheirupperposition?The; r find a 4card in a..class, wthe retaining blades of all the votherclasses .are flrst-.causedtobe retracted;1then,zthe .keys or l the keyboardy 41 (Eig. 1l), which correspond to the characteristic `features of the'card in question, `are depressedythis operation causes, the retxac pressure'v plates raisedQby combs. then cease 1 to .press Attire same time, the.

safety iexxitersfrigin winthebgrsg unipekthe drawers fr'm'jtheir slide.y I'heldrawers can then 'be -aperiedz and :iti'is'ieeev te 1.11.1@ infime" wel vthe signalling lamp' offwhlch islighted'the card bearingNo. 5,l `which differentiates romV ythev v"others by-'its lateral displacement. Durin'g ltsfjdownward e stroke'1the j large pedal g -has 'caused/the small` pedal. 2f to engage yiavith 4 e. the/:lever 52-,th'ls.=small pedal llfvbelng always pushed gtowards its-L ,uppermost position by" the spring-51,(Flg. 12) apparatusis tl'ieriagainl.V in. the. initial conditions audience all drawers* i-fwill-.hefpossiblefw effect have. -r

e." *ber v111mm'imwilifinftlfznfimelnent. of the rod v53 e For unlocking, vit,v,tlie large I3, which' has..."

. 2,146,053 For facilitatingk the description, the ,drawings ,of thev 2nd; 4Srd'fflth 'and 5th', combinations" are `diagrar'r'imatic`drawings illustrating simple cases,

butit isto be"i'ir'ide'rstood that the-invention'is not ylimitedto'fthese 'particuiar cases and to the `ehar'acteristic features ofconstructio'n and ar-I rangement which have ybeenr set forth. Moreover, in order that the operation of 'theseffour lcombinations shouldbejmore' clearly understood, the

-gures 'relating thereto illustratethe case of a numerical class having a'r single digit' and theiv system" of simple teeth "(o'ne' tooth reservedfor each digit) has been used. 'l f 'f Figs. 29 and 30 show the operation of thefre- -taining blades above described; kBy depressing'a ,n key, IforA insta'ncethe. key 1,6, the rod llisdriven isisl in, this: causingthe right-angled member 'I8k to 'rock about the' xed 'shaft ISLy 'Ivhis right-angled memberfactuates 'a link 80 whichby means 'of its "fork 80'; causes the right-angled member 8| topivot about tne'shaft a2 rigidywith thedraw;

er 93.* Thefright-angled memberllblltrlqie'ri"4 lowers the'retaini'ng'bladeY 84 which/assumes the positiriillustrated'in dot andjdash lines!l v "The 12nd combinationsuchias` in Figure-31 fpesents, relatively to the combination, the*r following differences? K K Y Tlf-Thefd'isplacement of the 'card' in 'itsjplane takesr 1;\la'ce'-obliquely relatively to the axes of symmetry f'itsj teeth, instead of taking',` place at right fanglesto the said axes.

, 2.f='The means, for movi-ng ther cardsis rassslied c ybythe"weight of the latter:

' yThe r3rd combination,A Figure 32, presents,t relativ'elyitdtns 1st* combination; the renewingy -cifferenCesf'gYr i y `V t' l 1. The displacement of the'c'zard'ini'ts` plane takes plac'eparallel to the axes `of symmetry or The `retaining blade isplaced underneath theftoothit must stop, instead ofbeing placed on y f the s'idejoftnefiatter, i Y

3; The means for moving the cardscan' be to the plane ofairetainirigA blade.'`

of 'fits `teeth :change their `orientation relatively j 2:.'1fh`e' retaining" blade'fA-'is pl cedfunderneath the tooth it-must stopi'l' y 3.- The means' lfor moving the simply `theweight vof the latter; y, .v TheSth combination, Figure 35, presents, relativelyv to thelst combination, the'following differences:` a *j* i" 1. Thedispl'acement of the card 'in itsfplane takes :place: obliquelyrelatively'to the axes v'of cards can be symmetryof 'its teeth. v g

The''retaining` v.blade "is placed underneath ythe'tooth it must stop.: "U f f` y3.1,"YIVhe means'ior yrnoyin'g thecardslcanbe simplyth'eveight ofthe latter.

y Fig, 31, illustrating mese-cond combination, isy j ase'ct'ion of lthe drawer suchfas it might/beplaced,

rinthe selectingl apparatusrn)thefplaceand steadJ 'Y combination,*thepbliQue:dis-` placement ofthe card is 4obtained by 'rr'iearvisloyfl` in`c'lines95fland85 provided on the edges ofthe f In this" secon drawerfh; HThe' cardfowing tothese'y inclines,

. laterally'moyes,under the actionr "ofl the Ipressure plates and`at the sarrieV me, moves,clown` under f the action of its own weight; the latter moreover assists in thelateral displacement.

' Example' of operationl.-'Being onlyprovided with the toothcorresponding to the retaining blade '86, "the card 81, which primitively was in the position illustrated kin dotl and dash lines (Fig. 31), moves, when the retaining blade 85 is lowered, to the position shown in full lines. As shown in`Fig. 31, this card thus' selected is laterally displaced to the'extentof the interval comprisedvbetween theaxes oftwo consecutive re-y taining blades; it thenv easily di'erentiates from the other cards. y Suchv as illustrated in Fig, 32,y the card, in the third combination, 'is no. longer provided with suspension lugs; 'it' bears, through its tooth, upon a retaining blade and is guided by the ledges 88 and 88" of the ydrawer 882; moreover, it is held in a plane 'at right angles to the retaining blades :by a comb 8,9 (Figs. 32 and 33) composed of small plates suitably arranged. f

' When the selection of a card, 90 for instance, is effected, the retaining blade 9|, corresponding to the characteristic feature of this card, is lowered; the said card; carrying only` the tooth which rbears upon the retaining blade 9i; moves down underl the action of gravity. This card, thus selected, easily diierentiates from the other by tainingblade 95, torrespor'idingr to the characteristicfeaturey of this card, is lowered; the said card, carrying only the tooth bearing on the retaining blade 95,' `can then, under the action of gravity, rotate aboutthe pin 92. This card, thus selected, easily differentiates from the others by the fact that its portion 94",; provided for that purpose,

extends beyond the other'cards.

"f Such as illustrated in Fig.i35, the card, in the fifth combination, is in the shape' ofa parallelogramiitbears, through its tooth, on aretaining blade and is guided by the ledgesA 96'Y and 96" of tlierdraiivery 96T' The inclination of these ledges n prevents 'the cardfrom rotating about its base. Whenr effecting thev selection of y a card, 9'l'for instance, the retaining blade 99, corresponding td thejch'aracterlstic featurev of this card, .is

" lowered; the'said card, carryingonly the tooth A which bears upon theretaining b1ade`99, moves `down under the raction of. gravity; the inclinatiorrof the" ledges of the drawer compels it at the same'timejto move laterally.'` This card,y thus selected, easily ,differentiates from the others by the fact that its portion 911', provided `for that purpose, extends beyond thev other cards.

, j The action 'of the pressure plates can be replaced', a'sasrhown in Fig. 36, by the weight of the cards,` which arey caused toslide by causing the apparatus to roll on its base which is accordingly V given a rounded shape.

In k'the iive combinations-cards, retaining meansfand pressure means-described above, the card isr provided with teethintended to serve as abutmnts. In eachy of these combinations, itis possible to replace the teeth yby notches, the koperation b eingthen slightly different as illustrated in Figi 37; lv'vvhereas in the rcombinations above described it is `necessary,rfor selecting a card. to lower the retaining-blades which are locatedin front of theftee'th characterizing it, if notches are-,used insteadof teeth,`the retaining blades must beraisedv in the 'notcheswhich characterize the'desired card.'` .'Of course, the substitution of notchesffor teeth, is not only applicable to the combination illustrated in Fig. 37,y but also to all the other. combinationsdescribed in the present patent; Such as illustrated in Fig. 38, the pressure: plates, instead ofpulling the cards, can push them. e y

. When the apparatusis caused to operate, the cards 'arey all subjected to thevaction of a stress which tends to move them. They therefore exert, except those to be found', a pressure uponk the retaining blades. Consequently, before again operating the latter, it is necessary to release them from the friction causedy by their contactlwith the cards'. For that purpose, use can be made of a set of small plates similar tor the pressure plates, but. acting in reverse direction. "The releasing'devicefor the retaining blades can be constitutedfby a.member` 99, yas diagrammatically illustrated. in Fig. 38. l

1. apparatus for selecting unclassified index cards vcomprisinga drawer, cards there-in,` retaining blades normally cooperating with teeth on an edge of "each card so as to immobilize said card, one rehar'acteristic': being represented by a division on the edge of Aeachcard, teeth provided on anedge of each card ineach divisionand rep. res'enting in combination onecharacteristic, keys for retracting said retaining blades for freeing all the corresponding teeth, the numberk of keys and blades in each division being fsmaller than the number of characteristics represented in said division, means forconnecting more than one blade to one key' to be actuated so as vto retract the retaining blades corresponding to the characteristic `to be selected, and a pressure vplate foreach card :for exerting thereon a force tending toshift itin itsplane. k

2'. An apparatus for selecting their, edges,` which .apparatus comprises agdra'wer, retaining' blades norrnally` cooperating with said characteristics for immobilizing the cards, means for selectively retracting said 'retaining blades so as to free 'the cards having characteristics correspondingA to ysaid blades, pressure plates for ex- 5 ertin'g' on ,all the cards individually and simul-v `taneously aforce tending to shift them in their `respectiveplanes within the drawer, vand means for guidingv said pressure plates. Y,

r 3.` An'- apparatus for selecting unclassified index cards including identicationcharacteristics on their edges, retaining blades normally cooperating with saidcharacteristics ior immobihlizinglthe cards, meansfor selectively retracting said retaining blades so as to free the cards having characteristics corresponding'v to` said blades, and means' for exerting on all the cards individually and simultaneously a fo'rcetendingto` shift them .in-their respectiveplanes, said last mentioned means comprising pressureplates mounted above the cards and vshiitable intoengagement with portions thereof whereby toeffect the shifting operation.

f V4.y Anfapparatus for selecting unclassified index s cards including lidentification characteristics on the edgesof said cards comprising aeasing, drawers 'inf the casing, retaining blades shiftably mounted in the drawers and normally cooperating l v v classiedkindex" cards includingv identification characteristics ron with n saidcharacteristics so asto immobilize cards andadapted to be 'se1ect1ye1y'retractedrqr freeing said cards., actuating means mounted in' said Acasing for selectively retracting said retaining bladesdisengageable coupling -means provided on said actuating means and retaining blades for engagement when the `drawers arein placeandadapted to be disengaged whenthe `drawers, are withdrawn, .and releasable vmeans -for exerting, upon the cards individually and simultaneously a force tending to shift themlin their plane.

. 5.` An apparatus v,for selecting vunclassified index vcards including identification [characteristics on v the edges of said cards comprising a casing, drawers in the casing, cards invsaid drawer, retaining blades.r shiftably mounted in n thedrawers and normally cooperating with said characteristics sov as to immobilize, said cards and'adaptedto be` retracted for; *freeing said cards, actuating means mounted in' said casing for selectively. retracting said retaining blades, disengageable coupling means provided on said actuating means and retainingv blades for engagement when the drawers are in` place and adapted to bedisengagd when the drawers are withdrawn, releasable meansY for exerting upon the cards individuallyandpsimultaneously a force tending to shift themin their plane, said last mentioned means comprising pressure plates shiftable in the casing parallei yto the cardsjand having avsmaller thicknessv than said cards, means ,for shifting said pressure plates .against the edges ofthe cards, releaseableretaining meansmounted in the casin'giorgre taining saidnpressure plates in an inoperativepo# sition, and., locking means provided. non said retaining means for locking the drawers in closed position'when saidretaining means are released.

6. An apparatus for selecting index cardscomprising a vcard containenjcards in-,thecontainen teeth provided on each card for identifying said cards,; retaining blades adapted toform abut-l ments for said teeth so as to retainthecards in a set position, means for selectivelyretracting said retaining .blades so as rto free; the cards which have vteeth abutting against saidv bladesfmeans for exertingon eachv card a force tending to shift',y

the cards in'theirrespective planes, the last mene tioned means comprising pressureplatesacting by their own'weightf,` parallel tofeacl'iI 'other and havingvsuch athicknessthat itis possible to provide a suflicient numberv of pressure plates for subjecting every card tothe pressure ofy at least one pressure plate, without the last mentioned pressure plate acting upon the adjacent cards,

combs guiding the pressure plateskin such mane ner that said pressure plates are 'displaceable only intheir respective planes and thatthe said pressure plates are positioned at ay distance apart so that there is always at least one pressure plate opposite anyV possible positionr of eachcard, rand amovable abutment adapted to retain saiclpres.-A

sureplates in an inoperative position and adapted to be disposed so as to free the pressure plate. l. 7. An apparatus for selecting index cards comprising Aa 'Y c 'ard container, cards f in the container,

teeth 'provided on .each cardvfor identifying said cards, retainingblades adapted toform abutments for said teeth so as vto retainthecards in a setfposition, means for `selectively retracting said retaining blades so as to free thecard's which havefte'ethsabutting against said blades, and c means for exerting on each. card aforce tending toshift the Vcards'intheir respective planes,v the last mentioned means comprising pressure plates u fio constituted Tby platesy tending to displacev themselves by their own weight, the edges of said pressure plates of the cards, the pressure plates pressing .against portions of retainedcards being retained by kthese cards, whilefthe pressure plates pressing against portions of, freed cards shift the last mentioned cards,lthe Weight of a pressure plate being sufcient to shift acard.

8.v Any apparatus for selecting index ycards comprising a card container, cards in the container,

' teeth provided oneach card for identifying said cards, retaining blades adapted to form abutments for said teeth so as to retain the cards in a set position, ymeans for selectively retracting said retaining blades so as to free the cards which vhave teeth abutting agalnstsaid blades, and

means for exerting on each card a forcetending '-to shift the cards in their respective planes, theV last mentioned means comprising pressure plates acting by their own weight, parallel to each other y and having such a thickness that it is possible to provide a suilicient number of pressure plates for 4subjecting every card to the pressure of at rleast one pressure plate without said last mentioned pressure plate acting `upon the adjacent cards.

f 9.- An apparatus for selecting index cards coml prising a card container, cards in the container,

teeth provided on eachcard for identifying said cards, retaining blades adapted to form abutments for said teeth so as to retain the cards in a `set position, means for selectivelyretracting said retaining blades so as to free the cards which have teeth abutting against the said blades, and means" for exerting on each card a force tending to shift the cards in their respective planes, the last mentioned means comprising pressure plates acting by their own weight, parallel to each other,

combs guiding said pressure plates in such manner that the said pressure plates are displaceable only in their respective planes and that said pressure plates are positioned at a distance apart so that there is always at least one pressure plate` opposite any possible position of each card. i,

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein f they combs. are displaceable between two positions in one of'which said combs retain the pressure .plates in an inoperative position, while in the other position said combs free the pressure plates. 11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 9, where# yin the combs are displaceable between two positions in one of which said combs'retain the pres,- sure plates in an inoperative position, while in the other position said combs free the pressure pressing against portions of the edgesr plates, said combs frictlonally engaging said pressure'plates so that the combs when they are displaced from the rst to the second position draw along by friction the pressure plates which are free for displacement. f

l2. An apparatus for selecting index cards comprising a casing, drawers in the casing, cards in the drawers, teeth provided on each card for identifying said cards, retaining blades adapted to form abutments for said teeth so as to retain the cards in a set position, means for selectively retracting said retaining blades so as to free the cards which have teeth abutting against said blades, means for exerting on each card a force tending to shift the cards in their respective planes, the last mentioned means comprising pressure plates parallel to each other and having such a thickness that it is possible to provide a suilicient number of pressure plates for subjecting every card to the pressure of at least one pressure plate without the last mentioned pressure plate acting upon the adjacent cards, retaining means adapted Vto retain the pressure plates in an inoperative position and to be displaced so as to `drawers inclosedr position when said retaining means is displaced so as to free the pressure plates.

13. An apparatus of the class described including a cabinet, drawers therein adapted to receive cards, releasable means for holding the vdrawers in said cabinet, teeth on said cards and representing characteristics, retaining blades normally cooperating with the teeth on the cards so as to retain said cards in a set position, means for retracting the retaining blades cooperating with the teeth representing in combination a characteristic to be selected whereby to free the last mentioned teeth, means for releasing the drawers and` permitting opening thereof, and means for exerting a `force on the cards tending to shift them individually and simultaneously in their respective planes, said means comprising a pressure plate parallel to each card and having a smaller thickness than the latter, combs guiding said pressure plates in such a manner that there is always a pressure plate in position fory actuating each card, means for originally setting pressure plates against certain edge portions of the cards, and combs shiftable for retaining said ANDR GARDIN.

REN FLAHAUT.- u 

